Grade Enhancement or Extra Credit


This is an optional assignment. If you choose not to do it, you will not lose any points. If you choose to do this assignment, you will gain some extra points that will be added to your overall grade.

Listen to act two of this episode of This American Life:

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/414/right-to-remain-silent

(Here is the transcript if you like to read instead of listen, or if you're looking for quotes to include in your extra credit paper: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/414/transcript)

Your Task


In two double-spaced pages, you will attempt to answer the following questions: Is Schoolcraft a good Kantian? If you think Schoolcraft is or isn’t a good Kantian, use the categorical imperative to prove it.

Questions to consider


  • What duties or obligations was Schoolcraft following? Does Schoolcraft ever lie at any point?
  • Was there anything that Schoolcraft did that you think wouldn’t pass the categorical imperative?
  • How does Schoolcraft compare to other police officers and commanders that he recorded?

Grading


This extra credit assignment is worth a total 10 points. You will be given points based on the adequacy of your response and how you argued your position.

Due Date


Turn this in by Friday, February 1st.